3D Printing

Our 3D Printer

The Fablab is equipped with a "Dimension uPrint Plus" 3D printer, capable of quickly creating durable and accurate 3D models out
of ABS plastic. The printer reads STL (STereoLithography)
files and builds models by extruding a bead of ABS plastic through a
computer-controlled extrusion head, working layer by layer, from the
bottom up (see video). The printer has a vertical layer resolution of .010 inches
(.254mm), a minimum wall/feature thickness of .036 inches (.914 mm), and
a maximum build size of 8” by 8” by 6”.

Blender (open-source/free) can be used to convert OBJs and a few other common file formats to STLs.

Checking Files for Errors

All 3D file formats are prone to errors in geometry. The most
common errors are inverted faces due to reversed normals, and holes in
the mesh due to bad/open edges. Files with these errors will not print
correctly, and must be fixed by the client before a job can be submitted
to our 3D printer.

Netfabb Basic is a free STL viewer which can open your 3D files
and diagnose inverted normals/faces and bad edges. A Netfabb Basic video tutorial is available here and it's also installed on the PCs in the Self-Service area of PrintFX. It can also be downloaded here: http://www.netfabb.com/downloadcenter.php?basic=1

Cost

Use of the 3D Printer is $7 per cubic inch. You are
responsible for paying for all build and support material. When dropping
off your job, you must indicate on the order form whether you would
like to be called with a cost estimate prior to printing your model.

Procedures & Policies

Please come to the PrintFX service desk in Pomerantz D529A to
complete a 3D Printing Order Form. All jobs
must be paid for with your FIT ID card before the job is released.

Detailed Guides

For more in depth information regarding 3D printing at the Fablab, please download this guide. For a list of free 3D printing resources, download this guide.